“This doesn’t make sense,” he said.

“I know. Emma was outside but not inside? What kind of risk was that? There are neighbors.”

“Not super close,” he said. “And there’s some trees that impair visibility into the backyard.”

“Still. Are you going to abduct a child and let her play outside at your house?” Rena asked.

He shook his head. “She had to have had help. We have multiple witnesses who support the fact she was at the day care.”

Once A.L. had parked, they walked inside and went to find Blithe. “Where is she?” A.L. asked.

“Room 2,” Blithe said.

“She say anything?” Rena asked.

“Nope. She seems like a nice lady,” Blithe said. “It’s going to be a kick in the balls if she’s the one.”

How true, thought Rena. She had no balls but she clearly understood what Blithe meant. She turned and led A.L. back to the middle of their three interrogation rooms. When she walked inside, Alice Quest was sitting at the oblong table, a half-full plastic cup of water in front of her. She looked up when they entered.

“Detectives,” she said. “I’m assuming there’s news.”

“Alice,” Rena said, taking a chair. “Thank you for coming in.”

“It doesn’t seem as if I had much choice. It made for a rather awkward parting with my friend that I was having dinner with. I imagine she’ll have a few questions.”

“We picked up Emma Whitman’s trail,” Rena said.

Alice didn’t flinch. Just kept her eyes on Rena.

“On your property.”

“That’s impossible,” Alice said.

“We’re sure she was there,” A.L. said.

“Alice, tell us how she got there,” Rena said.

“I have no idea,” Alice said. “It makes no sense.”

That was exactly what A.L. had said.

“She doesn’t know where I live. I mean, maybe her parents have driven by and said Ms. Quest lives there but there’s no way she could get herself from the learning center to my house. It’s more than five miles.”

“She was there, Alice,” Rena said, keeping her voice gentle yet firm. Alice was talking and that was always better than having a suspect clam up.

Alice took a drink of water. Set her cup down. “I think I’m getting this. You didn’t bring me in here to tell me news. You brought me here because you think I had something to do with Emma’s disappearance.”

“We believe Emma was recently in your backyard and we need you to tell us about that,” Rena said.